Male gender promotes an increased inflammatory response to lipopolysaccharide in umbilical vein blood.

OBJECTIVES: To establish gender-specific differences in maternal and fetal immune response in healthy human fetuses at term. METHODS: Forty-five women with elective caesarean sections for uncomplicated singleton pregnancies were recruited for two studies. Using a multiplex biomarker immunoassay system, unstimulated maternal and fetal plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-1ra, IL-6, IL-8, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were measured from one study population. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated cytokine response was measured in a second study. RESULTS: There were no significant gender differences in either maternal or fetal unstimulated plasma cytokine concentrations, but concentrations of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly greater in male fetal LPS-stimulated samples than in female fetal samples. CONCLUSIONS: Blood of male fetuses mounts a larger pro-inflammatory response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This heightened response could be a critical pathway in promoting premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and may be associated with life long differential gender response to infection

A randomized clinical trial of how to best position retropubic slings for stress urinary incontinence: Development of a study protocol for the mid-urethral sling tensioning (MUST) trial

The goal of this trial is to compare two techniques for tensioning retropubic midurethral slings: a Mayo scissor between the tape and urethra vs. a Babcock clamp creating a measured loop underneath the urethra. The primary outcome is a composite of abnormal bladder function at 12 months post surgery. Abnormal bladder function is defined as bothersome stress incontinence or worsening over active bladder symptoms, a positive cough stress test, re-treatment of stress urinary incontinence, post-operative urinary retention requiring either catheterization beyond 6 weeks or surgical intervention. Secondary outcomes include the duration of post operative urinary retention, quality of life scores, and physical examination. This article describes the rationale and design of this clinical trial, which will be of interest to those who care for patient with pelvic floor disorders such as stress urinary incontinence

Correlation of Electronic (Web-Based and Smartphone) Administration of Measures of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that instruments of pelvic floor dysfunction would yield similar responses on web-based and smartphone administration compared with paper. METHODS: Subjects presenting with pelvic floor disorders were prospectively enrolled at 5 sites and invited to complete 4 validated pelvic floor disorder questionnaires (Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory 20, Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire 7, Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire 12, Bristol Stool Scale) on both paper and electronic formats, 2 weeks apart, with the order of administration being randomized. Participants completed the questionnaires electronically on the internet via REDCap or using the PelvicTrack App on a smartphone or tablet. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-four subjects were enrolled, and 132 subjects (56%) completed both sets of questionnaires with no intervening treatment. This group was 58 (±15) years old with body mass index 28 (±6) kg/m and parity 2 (1, 3) and was 77% white, 6% African American, 7% Asian, and 10% other. Presenting complaints were classified as 58% urinary, 37% prolapse, and 5% defecatory. There was no difference in overall demographic information between those who completed the second round of questionnaires and those who did not. There was no difference in age between those who chose to complete the questionnaires via REDcap and those who chose to complete the questionnaires via smartphone. Correlation coefficients between questionnaire administration range from 0.5 to 0.8. There was no significant difference in the responses for each total scale and individual scale between the first or second administration. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated moderate to strong reliability between scales of pelvic floor dysfunction administered electronically compared with paper version. Our results strongly suggest that it is feasible and reliable to administer pelvic floor questionnaires in an electronic format on REDCap and on smartphones

Uterine-Preserving Surgeries for the Repair of Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis and Clinical Practice Guidelines

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: We aimed to systematically review the literature on pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery with uterine preservation (hysteropexy). We hypothesized that different hysteropexy surgeries would have similar POP outcomes but varying adverse event (AE) rates. METHODS: MEDLINE, Cochrane, and clinicaltrials.gov databases were reviewed from inception to January 2018 for comparative (any size) and single-arm studies (n \u3e/= 50) involving hysteropexy. Studies were extracted for participant characteristics, interventions, comparators, outcomes, and AEs and assessed for methodological quality. RESULTS: We identified 99 eligible studies: 53 comparing hysteropexy to POP surgery with hysterectomy, 42 single-arm studies on hysteropexy, and four studies comparing stage \u3e/=2 hysteropexy types. Data on POP outcomes were heterogeneous and usually from \u3c3 years of follow-up. Repeat surgery prevalence for POP after hysteropexy varied widely (0-29%) but was similar among hysteropexy types. When comparing sacrohysteropexy routes, the laparoscopic approach had lower recurrent prolapse symptoms [odds ratio (OR) 0.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.07-0.46), urinary retention (OR 0.05, 95% CI 0.003-0.83), and blood loss (difference -104 ml, 95% CI -145 to -63 ml) than open sacrohysteropexy. Laparoscopic sacrohysteropexy had longer operative times than vaginal mesh hysteropexy (difference 119 min, 95% CI 102-136 min). Most commonly reported AEs included mesh exposure (0-39%), urinary retention (0-80%), and sexual dysfunction (0-48%). CONCLUSIONS: Hysteropexies have a wide range of POP recurrence and AEs; little data exist directly comparing different hysteropexy types. Therefore, for women choosing uterine preservation, surgeons should counsel them on outcomes and risks particular to the specific hysteropexy type planned

A Guide for Urogynecologic Patient Care Utilizing Telemedicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Review of Existing Evidence

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The COVID-19 pandemic and the desire to flatten the curve of transmission have significantly affected the way providers care for patients. Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgeons (FPMRS) must provide high quality of care through remote access such as telemedicine. No clear guidelines exist on the use of telemedicine in FPMRS. Using expedited literature review methodology, we provide guidance regarding management of common outpatient urogynecology scenarios during the pandemic. METHODS: We grouped FPMRS conditions into those in which virtual management differs from direct in-person visits and conditions in which treatment would emphasize behavioral and conservative counseling but not deviate from current management paradigms. We conducted expedited literature review on four topics (telemedicine in FPMRS, pessary management, urinary tract infections, urinary retention) and addressed four other topics (urinary incontinence, prolapse, fecal incontinence, defecatory dysfunction) based on existing systematic reviews and guidelines. We further compiled expert consensus regarding management of FPMRS patients in the virtual setting, scenarios when in-person visits are necessary, symptoms that should alert providers, and specific considerations for FPMRS patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. RESULTS: Behavioral, medical, and conservative management will be valuable as first-line virtual treatments. Certain situations will require different treatments in the virtual setting while others will require an in-person visit despite the risks of COVID-19 transmission. CONCLUSIONS: We have presented guidance for treating FPMRS conditions via telemedicine based on rapid literature review and expert consensus and presented it in a format that can be actively referenced